Heterodimeric dye composition

Abstract

This invention provides for labeling reagents, labeled targets and processes for preparing labeling reagents. The labeling reagents can take the form of cyanine dyes, xanthene dyes, porphyrin dyes, coumarin dyes or composite dyes. These labeling reagents are useful for labeling probes or targets, including nucleic acids and proteins. These reagents can be usefully applied to protein and nucleic acid probe based assays. They are also applicable to real-time detection processes.

1. A heterodimeric dye composition, said composition comprising a first dye that comprises a phenanthridinium moiety; and a second dye that is different from said first dye, said second dye being attached through the phenyl ring of said phenanthridium moiety. 
     
     
       2. A heterodimeric dye composition having the structure 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein said Second Dye is not a phenanthridinium moiety. 
     
     
       3. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 2 , wherein said Second Dye is substituted in any of the ortho, meta or para positions of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       4. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 3 , wherein said Second Dye is substituted in the meta position of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       5. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claims 2 , wherein said second dye comprises a thiazole, a fluorescein, a thiazole derivative, or a fluorescein derivative. 
     
     
       6. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 2 , wherein said Second Dye is attached to said structure through a rigid linker arm. 
     
     
       7. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 6 , wherein said rigid linker arm comprises one or more peptide bonds. 
     
     
       8. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 2 , further comprising a bromine or chlorine counter-ion. 
     
     
       9. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said second dye is attached to said phenyl ring through a rigid linker arm. 
     
     
       10. The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said rigid linker arm comprises one or more peptide bonds. 
     
     
       11. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said second dye is substituted in any of the ortho, meta or para positions of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       12. The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said second dye is substituted in the meta position of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       13. The composition of  claims 1 , wherein said second dye comprises a thiazole, a fluorescein, a thiazole derivative, or a fluorescein derivative. 
     
     
       14. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a bromine or chlorine counter-ion. 
     
     
       15. A heterodimeric dye composition having the structure 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein said Second Dye is not a phenanthridinium moiety. 
     
     
       16. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 15 , wherein said Second Dye is substituted in any of the ortho, meta or para positions of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       17. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 16 , wherein said Second Dye is substituted in the meta position of the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       18. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claims 15 , wherein said second dye comprises a thiazole, a fluorescein, a thiazole derivative, or a fluorescein derivative. 
     
     
       19. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 15 , wherein said Second Dye is attached to said structure through a rigid linker arm. 
     
     
       20. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 19 , wherein said rigid linker arm comprises one or more peptide bonds. 
     
     
       21. The heterodimeric dye composition of  claim 20 , further comprising a bromine or chlorine counter-ion.